Video Transcript: The Elders Meetings

Session 11: The Elders Meeting

Opening

Bruce:
All right, we are continuing. We’re here in session 11, and we’re going to talk about the elders meeting.

Abby:
Yeah.

Bruce:
You know, one of the elders of a church I served in California was a model to me, in some ways. He was out visiting people all the time. He cared for people wonderfully. But he never came to a meeting.

And so, you know, I called him, met him, and said, “What’s going on here?” And he said, “I hate elders meetings.”

And I realized that most people—there are some who love meetings, let’s put it that way—but most people come toward the issue of meetings with hesitation: Oh, another meeting. What’s going to happen in this meeting?

So we decided to put in this session: What about the elders meeting? How can we make sure that meeting is productive, not painful—and at least if the pain comes, it’s redemptive pain, moving toward something new and different.

Assumptions for Elders Meetings

Bruce:
I want to make some assumptions as we enter the subject.

1. Jesus is the head of the church.
   It’s not the pastor, it’s not you as an elder. He is the head of the body, the church. Paul says in Colossians: “The beginning, the firstborn… Jesus is the head of the church.”
2. Having the right people at the meeting is essential.
   Who do you need at this meeting? Who do you not need?
   I just went through a process in retirement—I wanted to try out being on stage—so I was part of a Macbeth presentation. We had to meet every night for two weeks before opening. And I’ll tell you, I was sitting there with nothing to do most of those nights. I was so thankful when the director said, “You know, we don’t need you tonight, why don’t you go.” If it was pertinent, fine. Otherwise, don’t sit there.
   In elders meetings, the same. Have the right people at the table. If certain assistants aren’t needed, they don’t need to be there.
3. Eldership should be a great joy.
   At the end of your time as elder, you should be able to say, “Wow, God did something while I was an elder, and I got to be part of it. I got to sit in the front row of what Jesus was doing in the church.” That’s terrific.
   Some elders aren’t eager to quit. In my last church, we created a method so elders could extend their three-year term by up to two years if all agreed. Why? Because it was working. It was a joy. People didn’t leave saying, Glad that’s over. They grieved stepping down because it was meaningful.
4. As the church grows, structures must change.
   Different sizes of church require different styles of leadership.
5. Character and chemistry matter as much as competency.
   If character issues exist, they have to be addressed. Otherwise, meetings become a problem. Chemistry matters too—you need to get along.

Fellowship and Connection

Bruce:
A friend of mine served a very large church—about 1,600 people. They had six governing elders and 25–30 shepherding elders. The six governing elders met twice a month:

• One night was business.
• Two weeks later was pie night.

Yes, pie night. They met at one elder’s house, he loved baking pies, and they just talked about their lives together.

Abby:
Just that connection—building a group that wants to serve and work.

Bruce:
Yes. And when they came to the business meeting, they had goodwill built up.

Abby:
That’s so important—to love the people you’re serving with outside of the service. Then, when there’s disagreement, you have relationship to carry you through.

Where to Meet

Bruce:
Where you meet has impact.

• One church I know: elders met around tables—business-like, get things done.
• Another: a large church here in West Michigan—elders met in comfortable chairs, living room-style, to talk and pray.

Which is right? Neither—it depends. If it’s business, run it business-like. If it’s relational, choose a casual space.

Who Runs the Meeting

Bruce:
In my denomination, church order said the pastor leads the meetings.

But in my second church in California, I chose not to lead. We had terrific leaders in the church—businessmen who knew how to run meetings. So we elected a leader from among the elders.

That worked better. Because if the leader didn’t like an agenda item, I could say, “You’ve got the power. Change it.”

Key point: Whoever leads must know how to run a meeting. One of the worst things is when nobody knows where you are or how you’re moving from one subject to the next.

And—the relationship between the pastor and facilitating elder is crucial. Even when I didn’t run the meetings, I made the agenda and went over it with the chair every month.

Time and Frequency of Meetings

Bruce:
When is the best time to meet? Depends on people’s schedules, but set a consistent time so people can prepare.

In California, they had a long tradition of meeting Mondays. That was my day off. I asked if we could move to Tuesday. They agreed—and for 11 years I was grateful.

How often should you meet?

• Small churches: maybe weekly or twice monthly.
• Medium/large: monthly is usually sufficient.
• Very large, staff-driven ministries: sometimes quarterly.

Frequency depends on what stage of eldership your church is in:

1. Doing all the ministry yourselves.
2. Approving and overseeing everything.
3. Reviewing ministry.
4. Direction-setting.

Stages 1–2 require more meetings; stages 3–4 less.

Agenda, Prayer, and Records

Bruce:
Always have a written agenda at least 24 hours before. Let elders prepare.

Always have time for prayer—not just a quick open and close. In California, one church plant I knew had elders end every meeting on their knees, praying for each other and for the issues discussed. Business is spiritual business.

Also—minutes matter. Make sure minutes don’t just record motions but also key discussion points, so if it comes up later, everyone remembers.

Abby:
And for anyone who missed a meeting, those minutes are vital. They keep everyone current.

Bruce:
Yes. And publish the minutes. Don’t waste time reading them line by line in meetings—that kills energy. Send them out ahead, and just ask, “Any corrections?”

Communication and Review

Bruce:
Between meetings, elders should talk. Not to triangulate or lobby, but to understand each other. Sunday morning coffee conversations between elders with different views can build unity.

Review meetings annually: How are meetings going? Anything we should change? Then adapt.

Abby:
Yes. Even here at Christian Leaders, with accreditation, we’ve seen the benefit of keeping clear notes for accountability and follow-up.

Closing Thoughts

Bruce:
Meetings matter because Jesus is head of the church, and he rules through the elders. Your meetings shape the life and health of the church.

If meetings are well-run, they add to the joy of serving. If not, they sap energy and harm leadership.

I remember one elder, after retiring, told me, “I really miss those meetings.”

Oh, hallelujah. May it be that your elders meetings are like that. And if they aren’t, we’ve given you tips to turn them around. Work with your pastor, work with your fellow elders, and make it happen. Blessings.